Buckle



Ebb; 20, 1940 A. JOHNSON l 2,191,210

BUCKLE Filed Sept. 23. 1958 ATToRNEYs.

i Patented Feb. 20, 1940 `UNITED STATES PATENT" FFICE l BUCKLE Alfred Johnson, Chicago, Ill. y Application September 23, 1938, Serial No. 231,380

` .vvidea` new and improved buckle which will posi.-

tively hold a strap intightened or adjusted position,` which permits quick and instant release of the strap when opened, allo-wing the strap` to snappedorreleased, and` which. is provided with `new `and improved means` for permitting the buckle to bereadily fastened in position.

` `Another object of the invention is to proparticularly` adaptable for fastening to ashoe, whereby a strap on the shoe passes `through an opening or eyelet in the buckle, the buckle cooperating and receiving therethrough an eyelet, `which consists in securing the buckle to the member to which it is applied, there being `spring means for. urging the locking end of. the buckle in a `predetermined position, said buckle also being provided with an attaching member to permit the buckle to be securely fastened to the member or strap with which it co`operates.

i ,A further object of the invention is to provide a buckle which will. securelylock a member such as a strap in adjusted position, which will per- `fmit the strap or other member to be fastened 'o to slip easily and quickly through the buckle when released, which is rigid and durable in construction, and which canbe readily and eco` nomically manufactured, the main `parts of the buckle being stamped from sheet material. u Numerous other objects and advantages will` be'` apparent throughout the progressi` of the following specication. i

"Ihe accompanying drawing illustrates a sei `lected embodiment of the invention and the,l views therein are as follows:

.i i Fig. l is a detail perspective View of an article oi footwear and embodying the invention, the shoe havinga cradle or leather loop arranged s in the bottom of the shoe to support the arch oi the wearer7 the cradleor loop having an extending strap which extends through `an opening in the shoe and adapted for engagement with `the buckle;` i i [j i Fig.` 2 isa detail transverse sectional View through an ice skate shoe of `the type disclosed i inFigil and embodying the invention i Fig. 3` is a top plan view of the improved buckle showing the same applied to a member such as 5" a shoe; 1 i

slip quickly` and easilywhen the buckle is iin-` vide a buckle adapted for numerous purposes, but

8il Claims. (Cl. Sli-71) Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional view onv the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a derail longitudinal seciionn View on l the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view of the bottom i or lower part of the buckle;` and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view showing the eyeletas an integral part of the buckle.

The particular buckleherein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises a two-part buckle member 8 having a lower or bottom `element or part 9 and a co-operating upper or top element I`Il.` The `bottom element 9, Figs. 3-6, is relatively flat but `slightly curved when applied to a shoe to conform with the outer contour of the shoe, and has an upper enlarged projecting end II, Fig. 6, provided with a hole I2` therethrough. A` fastening member,` such as a strap" I3, on a` shoe I4, Figs. l, `2, and 3,` is adapted to extend and be engaged by the upper part IDof the buckle to hold the strapin its tightened o-r adjusted position. The lower end i of the inner or lower element 9 is provided with `to the parts I.I and l5, as clearly Yshown in FigQG.

Sideears I8 are integrally formed on thebody portion I'I and are bent upwardly and outwardly, as clearly shownin Fig. 4, to provide pivot sup` ports or trunnions I9. These trunnions are adapted to havey pivotal engagement with the upper or outer part I!) of the buckle and hold the two parts inassembled relationship. The inner or bottom part 9 is also provided with a pair of slits 20, Fig. 6, providing astrip 2| raised-from the surface of the body Il' a slight amount and receiving one end 22 of a spring member 23. The spring member 23 co-operates withthe upper portion I0 of the buckle to urge the part I0 in a predetermined position with respect to the part i 9.

The part 9 is attached to the member for which thebuckle is designed, and this member` may constitute a shoe i4 or it may constitute a strap or any; other co-operating structure. If

`the buckle is `to be applied to a shoe the part I0 Xed position relative to the shoe, an eyelet 26,

Fig. 5, is arranged in the opening l2 in the member 9 and extends through the opening 24 with the upper portion 21 of the eyelet engaging the upper portion of the part il surrounding the then clinched over,as indicated at 2&3,` Fig. 5,

to fasten securely the eyelet to the shoe and atv opening l2. The inner edge of the eyelet 2S is fore, is pivotally` connected to the bottom element 9. y h y y The spring 23 extends ldiagonally between the parts il and il), as clearly shown in Fig. 5, and

has its Lipper end 3i soldered or otherwise iixed to the under surface of the'member l@ whereby the spring 23 urges the outer end of the mem-` ber ill away from the element il, bringing the locking end 32 of the upper part IEB downwardly `toward the element. 9.. The locking end 32 is providedwith ay plurality of teeth 33 which are adapted to engageand bite into the strap or other fastening member 3. The rear end of the member lQ'is bent upwardly, as indicated at 34, Fig. 5, and is provided with an opening 35 therethrough through which the end of the strap may be received, as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The buck-le'hof course,umay be used for straps, belts, yand other purposes but is shown as being applied to ashoe.` Ithas been found in actual Y practice that it is particularly applicable toa shoe or other article of footwear, and more particularly to athletic shoes such as skate shoes.

In the embodiment shown, the athletic shoes shown in Figs. l yand 2 are provided with a loop or cradle to support the arch. The cradle or sup'- port member 3b ofwhich the strap I3 is apart supports the cuneiform bones of the arch, and due to the rearward pull also relieves the strain onwthe metatarsals, thestrap or member .36 being of a width substantially to embrace' the cuneiform bones. The member 36 is adapted to extend across lthe bottom of the shoeand then up `over the shoe across the top of the arch of the foot and over the instep and then downwardly on one side thereof where the strap i3' is adapted to extend through the notch or opening- 2a, and be engaged by the buckle Pulling on the strap I3, therefore, causes kthe member 3% snugly to engage the arch of the wearer and provide the proper support.

The buckle is constructed and arranged to comperato with the member 36 by receiving the strap i3 and locking the strap I3 by Ithe teeth 33 engaging the strap as it `extends from the inside of the shoe through the opening 2li'. Any inward pull on the member 36 or the strapfend i3 will merely tend to pull the locking end 32 loi the buckle andimbed the teeth 33 Vdeeperinto the material from which the strap i3 :is made.'

The strapr i3 is, therefore, held rigidly in tight.- ened or adjusted position and can not move by slipping. However, when it is desired to rem' lease the strap, pressure is applied to the end .311 of the buckle, raising the end El? and enlarging the opening 24 which is restricted in size because the end 32 of the buckle, extends over the opening and impinges thestrap between 'the Vdownward pressure ony the tail piece 34.

locking end 32 and the sides of the material:

or eyelet surrounding the opening 24.

In Fig. 7 there is shownr a slight modification of the buckle wherein the member 9 about the opening i2 thereof is provided with an integral eyelet di). The integral eyelet il reinforces the material about the opening 24 in exactly the same manner in which the eyelet 26 does.

After the strap is tightened to the adjusted position and held in locked engagement by the locking end 32, the free end of the strap may be inserted through the opening 35 in the end or tail piece 34. I

While the invention is particularly adaptable for use 'on footwear, such as athletic shoes, the buckleis also adapted for securing any kind of belt or strap, and is particularly adaptable for .useon straps attached to lifebelts in airplanes because the strap is tightly locked in place and can not slip but can be instantly released by a For use with life belts it is desirable andexpedient that the end of the strap be not laced through the opening 35,v as it is preferable and advantageous that the life belt be released imme diately upon pressure without the necessity of iirst pulling the free end of' the strap through the eyelet 35. I

The buckle is stamped from sheet metal and can be readily and economically manufactured. The buckle in assembled position is neat, is pro-` vided with jmeans for securing fastening it to a member or` structure, and is ornamental in appearance as well. Y

The invention further contemplates the provision ofreinforcing means about the 'opening 24, such as the eyelet 26. However, instead of using 'the eyelet 2S to reinforce the material surrounding thev opening 24, other reinforcing means, such as stitching, leather staples, etc., may be employed. v However, the use of the metal eyelet 26 is preferred because this eyelet can -be employed not only to provide a smooth opening through which the strap passes, but is also used to fasten the buckle to the shoe.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement ofthe parts without defastening strap passes, a buckle having an opening adapted to aline with said shoe opening, eyelet means passing through said opening for receiving said strap vand joining said buckle to the shoe, and a locking kmember on the buckle adjacent the opening and having a locking edge yieldably urged into juxtaposition with said eye` let for impinging the free end of the strap passing through theeyelet.

2..In combination with a skating shoe or the like having an opening therein through which a fastening strap isadapted to extend, said buckle lcomprising an inner member and an outer member pivotally connected together, openingsin opposite ends of saidmembers, the opening in said inner member substantially coinciding with the said shoe opening, and an eyelet arranged-in the opening of said inner member and extending through the opening in said shoe and engaging said openings for fastening the buckle upon the end shoe While permitting free passage oi'` the of the strap, said outer member having a locking edge adjacent said `opening carrying the eyelet for impinging the strap extending therethrough, the opening in the outer member being adapted to receive the end lof the strap.

3. In combination with a skating shoe having an opening in the Wall thereof through which a fastening strap passes, a buckle having an opening adapted to aline with said shoeopening, eye-` let means passing through said opening for receiving `said strap and having its opposite extremities formed over for joining said buckle to the shoe, a locking member pivotal on said buckle and` having a locking edge adapted `to impinge the free end of the strap extending through said eyelet means and frictionally engaging said strap in cooperation with said eyelet for `interlocking with the strap,

4. In combination with a skating shoe having a `strap adapted to pass over the instep of the foot and an opening in the ball` of said shoe for receiving the end of said strap,V a buckle on said shoe, said buckle comprising an innermember and an outer member pivotally connected tgether, an opening in said inner member coinciding with said shoe opening, and an eyelet arranged in the opening of said inner member and extending through the opening `in the shoe for accommodating the end of the strap While securing the inner member iixedly to the shoe, .said outer member having a strap-engaging locking edge pivotal to locking juxtaposition adjacent said eyelet means and being adapted to coact `therewith for impinging the strap in locking engagement.

45. In an article of the class described comprising a flexible wall of relatively large extent and a strap on the inner side oi' said wall adapted to extend through said wall and to be interlocked therewith adjacent the `outer side of said Wall, said wall having an aperture formed therein to removably accommodate the strap, a plate member having a cooperative aperture disposed adjacent the outer surface of said Wall with its aperturein congruent alignment with said i'lrstnamed aperture, eyelet means projecting through said aligned 4apertures to receive said strap and having formed overportions oppositely engaging said plate and Wall for permanently joining said elements together, and a clamping member on said plate and having a clamping edge urged into clamping juxtaposition with a side of said eyelet to lockingly engage a strap passing therethrough.

6. In an article `of the class described comprising a exible wall of `relatively large extent and a strap on the inner side of said wall adaptedy to extend through said Wall and to be interlocked therewith adjacent the outer side of said wall,

said wall having an aperture formed therein lto removably accommodate the strap, a plate member having a cooperative aperture disposed in and spring means urging said 'locking member into strap impinging position.

atwise relationship adjacent the outer surface of said wall with its aperture in congruent alignment with said first-named aperture, eyelet means projecting through said aligned apertures and a strap on the. inner side of said wall adapted to extend through said Wall and to be interlocked therewith adjacent the outer side of said wall, said wall havingan aperture formed therein to removably accommodate the strap, a plate member having a cooperative aperture disposed adjacent the outer surface of said wall with its aperture in congruent alignment with said rstnamed aperture, eyelet means projecting through said aligned apertures to receive said strap and y having formed over portions oppositely engaging said plate and wall for permanently joiningsaid elements together, and a clamping member on said plate and having a clamping edge urged into,` clamping juxtaposition with a side of said eyelet to lockingly engage a strap passing therethrough, said clamping member `being yieldably pivoted about pivot means located at a point relatively remote from said locking` side of the eyelet.

8. In an article of the class described comprising Aa flexible Wall of relatively large extent and a strap on the inner side of said wall adapted to extendthrough said Wall and to be interlocked therewith adjacent the outer side of said wall,

said W'all having an aperture formed therein to removably accommodate the strap, a plate member having a cooperative aperture, disposed adjacent the outer` surface of said Wall with its aperture in congruent alignment with said rstnam-ed aperture, eyelet means projecting through said aligned apertures to receive said strap and having formed over portions oppositely engagingl said plate and wall for permanently joining said elements together, and a clamping member on said plate and having a clamping edge urged into clamping juxtaposition with a side of said eyelet to lockingly engage a strap passing therethrough, said clamping means comprising a member pivoted upon said plate at a point substantially removed from said eyelet, said member having a portion extending beyond said pivot, and coml pression spring means between said last-named portion and the plate for urging the clamping edge into locking engagement with the eyelet at al1 times.

Amann JOHNSON. 

